Oral candidiasis (thrush) is distinguished by its creamy-white plaques that can be scraped off, leaving a raw, erythematous base, whereas leukoplakia is an adherent white plaque.
Leukoplakia is a clinical term for a white patch; it is distinguished from benign causes on biopsy, which may show dysplasia (intraepithelial neoplasia) or carcinoma.
While leukoplakia can be a precursor, invasive SCC is distinguished by the development of induration, ulceration, or a mass within the white plaque.
Oral lichen sclerosus is rare, but lichen planus is common and can present as white plaques; it is distinguished by the frequent presence of surrounding lacy, white (reticular) striae.
